I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.


The King of Assyria's Question--Sept. 28, 2011

The king of Assyria asked a relevant question:
On what do you base your confidence?

How can we be confident we
are worshiping you rather than idols?

Are we puffed up with our knowledge,
bearing thorns and thistles
rather than good fruit?

Help us remember--you are not only
the Creator who made the heavens,

but also the One who daily displays
faithfulness and steadfast love.

In that love build us up;
be the basis of our confidence.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 96; 147:1-11; 132; 134
2 Kings 18:9-25
1 Cor. 8:1-13
Matt. 7:13-21

Selected Verses
Ps. 96:5
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
      but the LORD made the heavens.

2 Kings 18:19
The Rabshakeh said to [Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, and Shebnah the secretary, and Joah, the recorder], “Say to Hezekiah: Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you base this confidence of yours? …"

1 Cor. 8:1b
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Matt. 7:15-17
"…Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. …" [Jesus, seated on the mountain]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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